What we take for granted in the Movies

Since leaving The Parachute Regiment a close friend of mine Paul Biddiss, has gone from strength to strength with his knowledge of weapons and tactics.
So much so that he is the man to have when you are either an accomplished film producer or an up and coming one.
In war scenes, he takes one side right through their dress/weaponry and tactics from side arms to field artillery, and then the same gang of between 50 to 100+ do the opposing sides kit.
A real achievement for him as I know his life has been full of up hill struggles after 22 years in the Regiment..........well done Paul looking forward to the two latest movies with my critique pad ready!! Here are a few of the old and current film set pieces, FURY was outstanding with all the American pieces to learn from WW2 including the trusty old Sherman tank

Jason Bourne behind the greek riots - YouTube

War and Peace behind the scenes prep for battle - YouTube

War and Peace Cannon Bootcamp - YouTube

PAUL BIDDISS MILITARY ADVISOR - YouTube

How this ex-Para put Brad through his paces for Fury (From The Oxford Times)

Good for him Gil, looks like he has found himself a very interesting and rewarding occupation.

Weaponry as we all know is a very specialist art. I try to stick to one breed, as many of us on the this site do too and specilise in them.

I can't imagine where I would start on say War & Peace for example, with 2 band muskets and the like and showing the proper way for the benefit of a factual type film, soldiers loading their muskets in the proper Military format of the day.

That in itself takes some learning. Then to pass that on with the film industry deadlines pressed on him, to non trained Military men, is hell of an achievement.

Weapon drills and skills, are the thing that keeps men alive in battle, and the more proficient you get, the more chance you have of your own survivability, in delivering accurate rounds to win the fire fight.

I watch Military films like many of us, and always look for the weaklink. Since Paul has been on the circuit he only accepts the best from these lads which clearly shows!

I am glad for your friend Gil are there any chances of getting the bloopers out as there must have been some interesting moments I reckon, I bet they had the normal driver of the M-4 when it was in the seen with Tiger 131.....

The hardest part would likely be to convince the director to do things right...

Jim,
He gets a fairly free rein of things. Obviously the acquisition of the right hardware in Tanks/artillery is a fairly difficult one, dependant of course of where you are filming.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gil Boyd

He gets a fairly free rein of things.

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Sort of the way we'd all love to run the show...

Very cool job to have indeed